Music to his ears

As the founding director of the City of Edinburgh Music School (COFEMS), I feel bound

to comment on the threat that has been hanging over this remarkable institution. In 1980 when it began it was unique in providing specialist education to outstanding young musicians within the framework of a normal primary and secondary state school and in serving the whole of the

country. It remains unique to this day and should be treasured by the city. The primary element is at the core of the concept. Outstanding musical talent can manifest itself at a very early age and needs careful nurturing. Flora Stevenson Primary School has proved itself more than capable of this responsibility.

It has always been a feature of the Music School that it has embraced a range of musical genres. It is right, therefore, that commentators should mention former pupils Tommy Smith and the late Martyn Bennett, but as a point of historical fact I should point out that the oft-mentioned and very talented Shirley Manson was never part of the specialist course. She just happened to be a pupil in Broughton High School when it started.

It has been a continuing pleasure to me in the years since I left Edinburgh to come across former pupils performing in, and in some cases managing, some of the finest orchestras in the UK. All remain deeply grateful for the experience and training that the school gave them.

To pretend that this intensive work can be spread around four different centres is absurd. The whole point is to put these extraordinary young talents together, where they inspire and learn from each other.

In COFEMS, Edinburgh has something of which it can be very proud. It must not be destroyed for the sake of shortterm economy or, misguidedly, of “equity”.

NEIL BELL

Director of the City of Edinburgh Music School 1980-1994

Cambridge Road Ware, Hertfordshire

I welcome Edinburgh Council’s apparent U-turn regarding the proposed drastic cut in funding of the City of Edinburgh Music School, it was ever thus… When budget constraints call for cuts, music is an easy target. But what if there was no music

at all? No singing, no national anthems, no folk songs, no choirs, no music in the theatres or churches, no bands, no music groups, no orchestras, no ceremonial music, no pop music, no film music, no music coming through headphones , no signature tunes (a silent Strictly come Dancing?) … This would be very strange and sad.

Music is not “posh”. It would seem that humans need it. If humans need music, they need musicians, and musicians need to be trained. Ideally the training starts in childhood. COFEMS does this remarkably well.

CHRISTINE GOUGH

Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh